Nominate lawyers for 2025 Diversity Champion Award by June 16

Editor's note: This article was updated on May 27, 2025, to indicate the deadline to submit nominations was extended from May 31 to June 16.

Do you know a lawyer who demonstrates a true commitment to an inclusive legal profession and helps increase the retention, advancement, and promotion of lawyers across multiple dimensions of diversity? Nominate them for the 2025 Diversity Champion Award by June 16.

The award is presented to an individual who has, within the last 12 months, developed, adopted, or implemented meaningful initiatives or programs designed to advance inclusion within the legal profession in Missouri or has otherwise made significant contributions valuing diversity and inclusion in one or more of the following focus areas:

- Impact across multiple dimensions of diversity
Efforts that consider the expansive ways in which lawyers differ, such as race, gender, ability (i.e. neurodiversity, visible and invisible disabilities), generations/age, sexual orientation, etc.

- Address intersectionality challenges
Efforts addressing how different aspects of diversity overlap and impact individuals' experiences and involve unique challenges and solutions for inclusion.

- Impact is measurable
Demonstrated impact of diversity initiatives on promotional opportunities, professional growth and development, lawyer engagement, workplace culture, and retention and recruitment of law students and lawyers in a way that can be measured or assessed for success (statistically and/or anecdotally).

- Demonstrates an intentional commitment
Recognized for ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusion initiatives; highlight activities that contribute to inclusion efforts in the workplace, legal profession and/or broader societal diversity and inclusion issues; skills and opportunities that individuals utilize to lead by example. Recipients actively work to create inclusive environments where everyone has access, feels valued, and has meaningful opportunities to thrive.

Submit your nomination here by May 31.

The award will be presented at the Annual Meeting of The Missouri Bar, Sept. 17-19 in Branson.

The Missouri Bar, The Missouri Bar Foundation, and The Missouri Bar Young Lawyers’ Section are currently accepting nominations for several awards. Click here to read about other award nominations.